Dominican Republic
(1) Cabarete kite surfing crash course
7 days, 6 nights
Overview
It’s time to get in on the fastest growing sport on the water. Only around since 1999, kite surfing is rapidly becoming one of the most popular sports in the world. Thanks to warm waters, steady winds and near perfect conditions, Cabarete Bay is the annual site for the kite surfing world championships. Devote a vacation to learn to kite surf at the #1 location in the world. Don’t worry, we’ll save some time for great day trips close by. Every year Cabarete hosts the “Master of the Ocean” surf competition. Aside from raucous parties, you can see the best in the world compete at surfing, kite surfing and wind surfing.
The Basics
You’ll fly into Puerto Plata en route to the beach town of Cabarete. Stay at an ocean front villa on Cabarete Beach. Get four days of lessons from a professional kite boarder instructor (including on-land instruction and equipment). Explore neighboring towns of Puerto Plata and Sosua.
Additional options:
- 27 waterfalls: hike in the Damajagua River for cliff jumping and swimming in fresh mountain water.
- Horseback riding on the beach.
- Dune buggies on the beach.
- Tour your favorite MLB teams’ Dominican training facility (ie. Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox)
Physical difficulty: MODERATE
(2) Conquer Pico Duarte
8 days, 7 nights
Overview
How many people can say they climbed the tallest mountain in the Caribbean? With the aid of sherpas and donkeys, make the 46 km roundtrip, four day-hike to the summit of the largest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. The views along the hike almost beat the spectacular view atop the 10,000 foot peak. You will rise early the last day to see the view of the sunrise from the summit.
The Basics
You’ll arrive in Santiago en route to the Dominican Alps. Camping in the mountains for four days with the aid of sherpas and donkeys to haul your load. Home base is a mountain lodge in the Dominican Alps city of Jarabacoa.
Day trips include:
- 27 waterfalls: hike the mountains above the Damajuana River for cliff jumping and swimming in fresh mountain water.
- White water rafting trip on the Yaque Del Norte River in Jarabacoa.
- Hike to the Gran Jimenoa waterfalls.
Additional options:
- Tour your favorite MLB teams’ Dominican training facility (ie. Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox)
- Tour of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.
- Golfing in Jarabacoa
- Visit a live cock fight in Santo Domingo’s national arena.
Physical difficulty: ADVANCED
(3) Pirates of the Caribbean: Samana Bay
7 days, 6 nights
Overview
Few spots in the Caribbean rival the untouched beauty as the Samana peninsula. Long loathed as a pirate sanctuary, today it is a prime spot for whale-watching, hiking, water sports, and beach bumming. For such a small peninsula, the area is blessed with numerous beaches and natural attractions and one couldn’t be more different than the next. January thru March is prime season to view the humpback whales nursing in the warm Caribbean waters before they start their annual migration north.
The Basics
You’ll fly into Santo Domingo and drive up Hwy 1 to the Samana Bay. Stay at a beach front villa in picturesque Las Terrenas Beach. Explore the lush, unspoiled surrounding area of Las Terrenas with a private vehicle. Get adventurous with offshore snorkeling in Playa Colibiri.
Day trips:
- A horseback trek through the jungle to the El Limon waterfall. Cliff jump into a lagoon.
- Go humpback whale watching in Samana (January thru March only).
- Rent scooters to explore Las Terrenas.
- Off road trip to the castaway beach of Playa Rincon where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.
- Take merengue dancing lessons for a night in Santo Domingo.
- Go out to a Santo Domingo discotheque built underground in a cave.
Additional options:
- Take kite surf lessons at Punta Coson or Playa Popi
- 4X4 quads on the beach and around the mountains overlooking the bay.
- Swim out to an uninhabited island at Las Galleras.
- Visit a live cock fight in Santo Domingo’s national arena.
- Tour your favorite MLB teams’ Dominican training facility (ie. Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox)
Physical difficulty: EASY
Having spent significant time living in the Caribbean, I'm happy to say my trip with Ryan to the Dominican Republic gave a great representation of the country. The travel and accommodations were phenomenal and well worth the buck. I can’t say enough good things about the trip Croft Global Travel set up for us in Cabarete. Having a guide who spoke the language, knew where everything was, and set up everything from rides to and from the airport to the best restaurants and bars really made the trip that much better. I can’t wait until my next trip with CGT! Our group of friends love to party and have fun... Ryan Croft went out of his way all day, every day to make sure that all the organizational details were figured out so that we could focus on having a blast. Every day CGT let us know where we needed to be and when, and that was all we needed to worry about; it took ALL of the normal hassles that come with travelling away. The Dominican Republic was an absolute blast, and I'll travel with CGT time and time again, for sure! We had an incredible experience with CGT visiting Cabarete, DR. Extremely professional and valuable to have someone on board that can interact with people, speak the language, and introduce you to the culture. An absolute must and essential if you want to try something different than the typical 'resort' experience. The 27 waterfalls day was incredible and we would not have known about it, nor been able to set it up without CGT. Cabarete is a gorgeous spot with plenty to do, and very helpful company to bring it all together. All you gotta do is show up! Croft Global Travel really knows how to spruce things up. Our trip was off the hook, we stayed in an amazing house right on the beach, we ate, we drank, and we jumped off waterfalls. Croft really knew the lay of the land and he took care of us and made sure we had a great time. I can't wait for the next trip. My group had a blast in the Dominican Republic at Cabarete Beach. Ryan and CGT took care of everything - no questions asked. He booked travel, arranged for top notch lodging, set up transportation, organized activities, spoke the language perfectly, and most importantly - answered any questions we had along the way. No matter if you are a rowdy group looking to party or a family looking for a laid back atmosphere, Ryan and CGT will execute and provide you with an experience you will never forget. I can't wait for the next trip! I had the pleasure of spending a week in the Dominican. With Croft's guidance I not only got to see many of the island's natural attractions, but also was able to get a feel for the local culture, something I would have struggled to immerse myself with otherwise. |
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